Nature and Health Articles

I’ve been wintering up my wardrobe lately—layers, hats, cute new rainboots—and literally leaning into storms and king tides . There’s something about big weather that calls me outside, especially to Mavericks .

We are living through a time of enormous personal and collective change. Most of us are chronically jammed in fight, flight, or freeze , moving through our days with nervous systems stretched thin. And as U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy reminds us, the antidote isn’t found in isolation — it’s in Social Prescription : deepening relationships, serving our communities, and rebuilding the threads of belonging that make us human.

“What amounts of nature, different nature experiences, and exposure to different sorts of nature, together constitute a healthy existence?” – Tim Beatley

By Wendy Figone | Somatic Ecotherapy

Upcoming Retreat: May 7th

High-Level Wellness and the Healing Power of Nature: A Modern Approach

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves battling stress on a daily basis. Between work pressures, technology overload, and the demands of modern life, it’s easy to forget that our bodies and minds need time to recover. But recovery work is not just a luxury—it’s vital to our health and well-being.

Have you ever felt a deeper sense of calm after a walk in the forest, a sense of grounding after breathing in that earthy scent? There’s real science behind it: soil microbes are quietly working to boost your mood, support your immune system, and nurture your inner calm.

I recently went to Japan to study where Shinrin-Yoku started. We took a long bus ride out to the Japanese Alps to meet with old Japanese communities and health care providers to learn more about the latest research on why engaging your senses in nature is so healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Try remembering when you spent an extended period of time in nature. Maybe it was a camping trip or a long hike.